Ekomärgistandardite

Ekomärgistandardid are voluntary certifications that indicate a product or service has a reduced environmental impact. These standards are developed by independent organizations, often non-profit, with the goal of guiding consumers towards more sustainable purchasing choices. The criteria for earning an ecolabel typically cover the entire lifecycle of a product, from raw material extraction and manufacturing to distribution, use, and disposal.

The specific requirements vary widely depending on the product category and the issuing organization. Common areas of assessment include energy efficiency, water consumption, waste reduction, emissions, the use of hazardous substances, and the sustainability of raw materials. For services, criteria might focus on resource management, pollution prevention, and responsible sourcing.

Ecolabeling systems aim to provide a transparent and reliable way for consumers to identify environmentally preferable options without needing to conduct extensive research themselves. This can help drive market demand for greener products and encourage businesses to improve their environmental performance. While the presence of an ecolabel is not a guarantee of perfect environmental performance, it signifies that the product or service has met a set of predefined environmental criteria. Different countries and regions have their own ecolabeling schemes, such as the EU Ecolabel or Nordic Swan.